Podcast
Questions and Answers
Drip irrigation is an irrigation method that uses a high volume of water to irrigate crops.
Drip irrigation is an irrigation method that uses a high volume of water to irrigate crops.
False
Fertigation can be easily included in drip irrigation with minimal waste of fertilizers.
Fertigation can be easily included in drip irrigation with minimal waste of fertilizers.
True
Clogging is a major advantage of drip irrigation.
Clogging is a major advantage of drip irrigation.
False
The available water in the soil is calculated by adding the field capacity and the permanent wilting point.
The available water in the soil is calculated by adding the field capacity and the permanent wilting point.
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Monoculture is a practice of producing or growing multiple crops over a wide area.
Monoculture is a practice of producing or growing multiple crops over a wide area.
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Moisture stress at the flowering and pod formation stage in beans can lead to increased flower production.
Moisture stress at the flowering and pod formation stage in beans can lead to increased flower production.
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Efficient irrigation systems should always saturate the entire soil profile, including the zone below the root zone.
Efficient irrigation systems should always saturate the entire soil profile, including the zone below the root zone.
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The initial cost of drip irrigation is always less than overhead systems.
The initial cost of drip irrigation is always less than overhead systems.
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The centre pivot irrigation method involves a tractor attached to a flexible line that drags it from place to place.
The centre pivot irrigation method involves a tractor attached to a flexible line that drags it from place to place.
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The method of irrigation application is only important in areas where water is abundant and inexpensive.
The method of irrigation application is only important in areas where water is abundant and inexpensive.
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The amount of water required by a plant is determined by its root system and stage of development.
The amount of water required by a plant is determined by its root system and stage of development.
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Salinity and drainage capability are not important factors in determining the method of irrigation.
Salinity and drainage capability are not important factors in determining the method of irrigation.
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Monoculture cropping systems are more labor-intensive than poly-culture systems.
Monoculture cropping systems are more labor-intensive than poly-culture systems.
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Crop rotation is a method of growing multiple crops in the same space at the same time.
Crop rotation is a method of growing multiple crops in the same space at the same time.
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Protected agriculture involves growing crops in open fields with no manipulation of weather conditions.
Protected agriculture involves growing crops in open fields with no manipulation of weather conditions.
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Hydroponics systems use soil to provide nutrients to plants.
Hydroponics systems use soil to provide nutrients to plants.
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Monoculture cropping systems are more resistant to disease due to the diversity of crops.
Monoculture cropping systems are more resistant to disease due to the diversity of crops.
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Alley cropping is a type of crop rotation.
Alley cropping is a type of crop rotation.
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Organic farming uses synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to maintain soil productivity.
Organic farming uses synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to maintain soil productivity.
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Drip irrigation systems have no advantages.
Drip irrigation systems have no advantages.
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Polyculture and monoculture are the same thing.
Polyculture and monoculture are the same thing.
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Crop production systems can use a solid medium, such as perlite, gravel, or Rockwool, to support plant growth.
Crop production systems can use a solid medium, such as perlite, gravel, or Rockwool, to support plant growth.
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Crop rotation is not a method used in organic farming to maintain soil productivity.
Crop rotation is not a method used in organic farming to maintain soil productivity.
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Sprinkler irrigation is only used when flood or furrow irrigation is practical.
Sprinkler irrigation is only used when flood or furrow irrigation is practical.
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Sprinkler system consists of a pumping unit and guns.
Sprinkler system consists of a pumping unit and guns.
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The permanent set type of sprinkler irrigation involves portable handset lines.
The permanent set type of sprinkler irrigation involves portable handset lines.
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Wheel lines in sprinkler irrigation are used to increase labor.
Wheel lines in sprinkler irrigation are used to increase labor.
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Centre pivot sprinkler irrigation requires manual operation of the line.
Centre pivot sprinkler irrigation requires manual operation of the line.
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Sprinkler irrigation helps in uniform wetting of the surface area.
Sprinkler irrigation helps in uniform wetting of the surface area.
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Study Notes
Water Use in Soil
- Available water (AW) = Field Capacity (FC) - Permanent Wilting Point (PWP)
- Factors affecting water use in soil:
- Soil type
- Root system
- Weather conditions
- Stage of plant development
Determining Water Requirements
- Two main approaches:
- Measurement of soil or plant water status
- Calculation of water availability from meteorological data
- Critical stage of irrigation: flowering and pod formation in beans
- Moisture stress at this stage can result in flower abscission and ovule abortion
Irrigation Methods
- Centre pivot
- Hose drag
- Drip/trickle irrigation (microirrigation)
- Advantages:
- High water distribution efficiency
- Less water needed
- Less interference with cultural practices
- Lower labor cost
- Fertigation can be included
- Disadvantages:
- Expensive initial cost
- Clogging of equipment
- Roots may be restricted to small volume of wetted soil
- Salts may concentrate on soil surface near wetted area
- Advantages:
Crop Production Systems
- Cropping system: a community of plants managed by a farm unit to achieve human goals
- Field production: production of different crops in open fields under normal environment conditions
- Monoculture: growing a single crop over a wide area
- Organic farming:
- Avoids synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
- Relies on crop rotation, integrated pest management, crop residues, animal manures, and mechanical cultivation
- Maintains soil productivity and controls weeds, insects, and other pests
- Polyculture:
- Growing multiple crops in the same space
- Maintains diversity of natural ecosystems
- Avoids large stands of single crops
- Includes crop rotation, multi-cropping, intercropping, companion planting, beneficial weeds, and alley cropping
- Poly-culture advantages:
- Avoids susceptibility of monocultures to disease
- Provides habitat for more species, increasing local biodiversity
Protected Agriculture
- Use of glass/green houses or shade houses to produce crops out of season or extend production season
- Hydroponics: growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions instead of soil
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Description
Test your knowledge on agricultural irrigation practices including factors affecting water use in soil, when and how much water plants need, and critical stages for irrigation in plants like beans. Explore concepts such as absorption, evapotranspiration, and surface evaporation.